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Objective: This study retrospectively analysed post-operative endoscopic scores to determine the optimal post-operative treatment in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: In total, 339 adults who underwent initial bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis were enrolled. Patients were divided into group A, which required no additional post-operative treatment; group B, which required local/systemic steroids post-operatively; and group C, which further required dupilumab and/or revision surgery. Results: Sixty-five per cent of patients could be treated with initial functional endoscopic sinus surgery (group A). Post-operative steroids were required in 35 per cent of patients with a post-operative endoscopic score of 30 per cent (group B). Further advanced treatments with dupilumab and/or revision functional endoscopic sinus surgery were required in 10 per cent of patients with a post-operative endoscopic score of 65 per cent (group C). Conclusion: The post functional endoscopic sinus surgery endoscopic score can be used as an index to determine treatment at the time of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fabrication technique for high-quality AlN templates using only metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy, which involves a tiny-pit AlN layer optimized by changing the growth temperature and V/III ratio, is proposed. Combining the tiny-pit AlN layer with the main AlN layer can be beneficial for achieving epitaxial lateral overgrowth and reducing threading dislocation density (TDD). According to transmission electron microscopy observations, the TDD in the AlN layer on the tiny-pit layer was 7.3 × 109 cm–2, and the TDD was further reduced to 2.6 × 108 cm–2 by adopting multiple tiny-pit layers. Tiny voids were observed at the interface between the tiny-pit AlN and main AlN layers, and the radius of curvature of the AlN layer also increased compared with that for a conventional AlN template by reducing stress in the AlN layer. In addition, the N-polar AlN layer was grown using Al-polar tiny-pit AlN layers through polarity inversion on a sapphire substrate with an offcut angle of 2.0°. Consequently, it was found that the Al-polar tiny-pit AlN is highly effective in improving the crystalline quality of the N-polar AlN layer. The surface flatness of the N-polar AlN layer with the tiny-pit layer and polarity inversion retained the conventional N-polar AlN template. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8‐year‐old Leonberger receiving immunosuppressive treatment with clinical signs of acute dyspnea, cyanosis, and difficulty standing was referred to our institution (Day 1). Treatment including oxygen, clopidogrel, and low‐molecular‐weight heparin was initiated for suspected pulmonary thrombosis. However, exertional dyspnea persisted until Day 10, and increased tricuspid regurgitation velocity, pulmonary vascular resistance, and McConnell's signs also were observed. Thus, beraprost sodium was administered PO on Day 11 to treat suspected pulmonary hypertension. On Day 13, contrast‐enhanced computed tomography identified extensive contrast defects in the pulmonary arteries, and IV monteplase was administered on Days 14 and 18, with marked improvement in respiratory status and exertional dyspnea on Day 20. Right ventricular function and McConnell signs also improved, and tricuspid regurgitation velocity and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased. On Day 250, echocardiography indicated further improvement in pulmonary hypertension pathophysiology. The patient was still progressing well with antithrombotic and pulmonary vasodilator treatment 400 days later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine Liver Decomposition Product (PLDP) was obtained by treating pig liver homogenate with protease and filling it into capsules. We have already confirmed from three clinical trials that PLDP enhances visual memory and delays memory recall, and we believe that its activity is due to various phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC). In this study, we clinically evaluated PLDP for depressive symptoms caused by a decline in cognitive function. This clinical trial was conducted using the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R). The HDS-R (maximum score is 30 points) is a test similar to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), which is commonly used in Japan. Dementia is suspected if the score falls below 20 on the HDS-R. Additionally, in a previous clinical trial, there was no change in scores in the placebo group after three doses of the HDS-R. In order to clearly confirm the effectiveness of PLDP, this study was conducted under stricter conditions (HDS-R points of 15 to 23) than previous clinical trials (all participants had scores of 20 or higher). Therefore, from ethical considerations, a clinical trial was conducted using the scores before PLDP administration as a control. In this study, PLDP was administered orally at 4 capsules per day, and the HDS-R was confirmed 2 and 4 weeks after administration. A significant increase in HDS-R scores was observed at 2 and 4 weeks after PLDP administration. Additionally, regarding each item of the HDS-R, PLDP significantly increased 2 and 4 weeks after oral administration for the question items assessing delayed recall, and the question item assessing verbal fluency tasks was recognized. From the above results, we confirmed the reproducibility of the effect of PLDP in improving the delayed recall of verbal memories. Furthermore, increasing scores on verbal fluency tasks suggest that PLDP may enhance frontal lobe function and prevent or improve depressive symptoms. The effects observed in this study may differ from the mechanisms of action of existing antidepressants, and we believe that this may lead to the discovery of new antidepressants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pulmonary hypertension is a fatal comorbidity in dogs with left-sided heart disease. Various oral pulmonary vasodilators have been effective in treating canine pulmonary hypertension; however, no studies have compared their hemodynamic effects. This study compared the hemodynamic effects of selected pulmonary vasodilators (15 µg/kg beraprost, 1.0 mg/kg sildenafil, and their combination) in canine models of mitral regurgitation (the most common cardiac disease in dogs). Significant improvements in pulmonary hypertension were observed with all study drugs. Pulmonary vasodilating effects differed among the study's drugs. Sildenafil showed a more potent pulmonary vasodilating effect than beraprost; however, sildenafil significantly worsened the left-heart loading condition. Although beraprost showed a weaker pulmonary vasodilating effect than sildenafil, no significant worsening in the left-heart loading condition was observed. Combination therapy resulted in the strongest pulmonary and systemic vasodilating effects without worsening the left-heart loading condition. This study demonstrated the differences between beraprost and sildenafil in pulmonary and systemic vasodilating effects. Sildenafil involved the risk of worsening the left-heart load, although it was effective in treating pulmonary hypertension. Combination therapy with beraprost and sildenafil synergistically dilated the pulmonary and systemic vessels, indicating a more potent treatment option. Previous reports have shown that various oral pulmonary vasodilators are effective against canine pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, no studies have compared their hemodynamic effects. We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of 15 µg/kg beraprost sodium, 1.0 mg/kg sildenafil, and their combination, in dogs with experimentally induced mitral regurgitation. This experimental crossover study evaluated the hemodynamic and functional effects of oral pulmonary vasodilators by application of right-sided heart catheterization and echocardiography. Beraprost significantly decreased pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance. Additionally, beraprost increased right-ventricular stroke volume and left-ventricular cardiac output without worsening left-heart size and left-atrial pressure. The pulmonary vasodilatory effects of sildenafil were stronger, and its systemic vasodilatory effects were weaker than those of beraprost. However, sildenafil significantly increased the left-ventricular volume, left-atrial pressure indicator, and right-ventricular cardiac output. Combination therapy resulted in the strongest pulmonary and systemic vasodilating effects without worsening the left-heart size and left-atrial pressure indicators. Both beraprost and sildenafil were effective against canine PH; however, sildenafil was associated with the risk of worsening left-heart loading. Combination therapy with beraprost and sildenafil synergistically dilated pulmonary and systemic vessels, indicating a more potent treatment option for severe PH cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]